Sounders U-23 get three points on Crossfire stoppage time own goal

TUKWILA, Wash. – (club release) The Sounders FC U-23 found a stoppage-time winner on a Washington Crossfire own-goal to give the Sounders FC U-23 another late 1-0 victory at Tukwila’s Starfire Sports.

In their second match-up this season against the Crossfire, the Sounders FC U-23 stole another victory on a late goal scored after the regulation 90-minutes were up. In their first meeting, Sounders FC U-23 forward Blake Wise connected on an acrobatic bicycle kick through the hands of the keeper in stoppage time.

In another physical match filled with fouls for both sides, the rematch stayed scoreless heading into stoppage time again. Following a counter attack by the Crossfire, Sounders Keeper Zac Lubin punted a long kick up the pitch where Sounders forward Steve Mohn attempted to get behind the defense for a scoring opportunity. With the Crossfire defense backpedaling to clear the danger, Mohn created enough of a disturbance to force the defense to head the ball back to their keeper Ian Clark, who also came out to meet the ball. The ball sailed over his head and into the net to give the Sounders the 1-0 win.

The Sounders U-23 and Washington Crossfire battled for 90 minutes before an unsual stoppage time own goal decided the match. (SoundersU23.com)

After the Crossfire counter attack, U-23 goalkeeper Zac Lubin looked to get the ball up the pitch quickly to forward Steve Mohn. Lubin’s long kick fell to the turf about 20-yards from goal and started bounding into the box. With the Crossfire defense backpedaling, Mohn looked like he may have been able to run on, but the ball was met first by the head of Crossfire defender Garret Jackson. Jackson headed it back toward the goal where he thought Clark would be to collect it, but Clark had come out to make his own play on the ball. The ball floated neatly into the open net, and the Sounders U-23 hung on for the 1-0 victory.

With the win, the Sounders U-23 earned the all-important three points, bringing their season total to 13. Coming down the stretch of the regular season, the Sounders U-23 will play five of their last six matches on the road. On Friday, June 21st, they will head to Vancouver to take on the Whitecaps FC U-23. For live updates from the match follow us on Twitter: @SoundersU23 and ‘Like’ us on Facebook.